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少年記(shounenki) live-distributed single "離さない(hanasanai)"  will be released at their live at Umeda AKASO at 2016/01/31

Visual Kei and Japanese pop/sub cultures in general seem to have many intense fans or fan communities that live and breath the art-form or artist in question.
 
I think it would be interesting to discuss just how heavily we follow our favorite bands, and what lengths we go to in our appreciation and / or worship.
 
As for me, I am a pretty big fan, I like to get all versions of singles / albums, and full discographies of  favorite bands, even Best albums... I follow on Ameblo, browse Twitters when I can`t sleep. Like to know which Kanji all band members use in their names, etc... As for picks (plectrum), Cheki, etc... For my favorite band I love these, but for other bands I couldn`t care less for plectrum, etc... I will just give them to people who seem to want them. Band-shirts I always long for. I guess my own style is influenced by VK too...
 
Here are some questions to get the ball rolling on the conversation, feel free to answer them and / or type a little about how much you follow VK bands!:
 
1: Do you buy multiple versions of releases, or buy at all? (Judgement-Free-Zone)
 
2: Do you collect cheki or other non-music related items from bands?
 
3: Follow them on Ameblo, Twitter?
 
4: Would you follow them on the street?
 
5: Dig through their trash? (Judgment-Free-Zone)
 
6: Does Visual Kei or other forms of your musical taste influence your style or personal life?
 
7: Desire to move or visit Japan influenced by music?
 
8: Do you read dirt-sheets of bands, like rumours, gossip, etc...?
 
9: Ever fantasize about being friends with band members? (JFZ)
 
10: Do you want to be in a Visual Kei band (or any other kind of band)?
 
 
Feel free to speak of other genres and your fandom as well if you please.

1: Do you buy multiple versions of releases, or buy at all? (Judgement-Free-Zone)

I do, but only for two artists; who are Kamijo and Kisaki. I never even really play my CDs, some of them even end up in my drawers with the plastic still sealed around them. For me there's just something nice about having them.

 

2: Do you collect cheki or other non-music related items from bands?

I do. I currently have about 150 cheki, mostly related to UCP. There's also posters and some photosets (which I stopped collecting, by the way, I am just not selling what I own right now), but they mostly came with CDjapan's releases.

 

3: Follow them on Ameblo, Twitter?

I am not really active on Ameblo anymore, but whenever there's an interesting post linked via Twitter, I click on it. Their use of social media is mostly around Facebook and Twitter, so it's natural I follow them there.

 

4: Would you follow them on the street?

I would totally depend on the environment and whether or not they are surrounded by friends. I would not necessarily follow/stalk them, but perhaps (if I were capable of any proper Japanese), politely greet them and be on my way.

 

5: Dig through their trash? (Judgment-Free-Zone)

No. I am not one to lurk at the bottle-necks from water-bottles I catch. I just drink from them because things are extremely hot around, and then toss them away (as an example). To think there are actually people who would chew on or frame used gum... it makes me shiver.

 

6: Does Visual Kei or other forms of your musical taste influence your style or personal life?

It doesn't. I've never been one to dress extravagantly since it just looks ridiculous in your personal life when you are trying to represent someone who is to fit in this society, in my opinion. On stage it would be fine, but not on the streets or at home, or in a professional work place that isn't related to music or fashion.

 

7: Desire to move or visit Japan influenced by music?

Visit, yes. If Kisaki ever gets it in his head to travel overseas, then no. Because then I've seen all of my favourite VK artists. Although seeing them a multiple amount of times wouldn't hurt, aha.

 

8: Do you read dirt-sheets of bands, like rumours, gossip, etc...?

It's hard to avoid them, really. Almost everywhere I look around for information on my favourite artists, there is dirt on them. It somewhat aggravates me as their personal lives are completely non-related to their career, but we all know over-zealous fangirls like to pry into things. There is sex everywhere. I really don't need to know how many STD's they've had or what size their junk is, it kind of spoils everything.

 

9: Ever fantasize about being friends with band members? (JFZ)

Of course. Fantasizing is healthy, on a normal degree. Or well, normal— at least where you aren't so terribly desperate as to send them inappropriate things or begin to live in the illusion that they actually know of your existence. Or stalk them aftward.

 

10: Do you want to be in a Visual Kei band (or any other kind of band)?

No.

1: Do you buy multiple versions of releases, or buy at all? (Judgement-Free-Zone)
 
I definitely like to buy things when I can. I don't buy multiple versions just for the sake of it, though.
 
2: Do you collect cheki or other non-music related items from bands?
 
Only shirts, mostly. (and the occasional poster or whatever)
 
3: Follow them on Ameblo, Twitter?
 
Certainly.
 
4: Would you follow them on the street?
 
No, because I sure as hell wouldn't want some rando following me.
 
5: Dig through their trash? (Judgment-Free-Zone)
 
Absolutely not.
 
6: Does Visual Kei or other forms of your musical taste influence your style or personal life?
 
Definitely.
 
7: Desire to move or visit Japan influenced by music?
 
Visit, for sure.
 
8: Do you read dirt-sheets of bands, like rumours, gossip, etc...?
 
Eh, occasionally, but it's not something I take seriously at all.
 
9: Ever fantasize about being friends with band members? (JFZ)
 
Sure, I suppose, in an idle way.
 
10: Do you want to be in a Visual Kei band (or any other kind of band)?
 
Sure. The musical projects I think of for myself all have visual elements in one way or another.

1: Do you buy multiple versions of releases, or buy at all? (Judgement-Free-Zone)
 
Gots to support the bandomens so yah
 
2: Do you collect cheki or other non-music related items from bands?
 
nope, too expensive.
 
3: Follow them on Ameblo, Twitter?
 
Hell yeah, gots to follow them bandomens
 
4: Would you follow them on the street?
 
I'd probs just faint from seeing them. Too intense.
 
5: Dig through their trash? (Judgment-Free-Zone)
 
Nah, why dig through someones trash when you can dig a hole in your backyard so no one will find your rarez?
 
6: Does Visual Kei or other forms of your musical taste influence your style or personal life?
 
Visual kei influences my life a bit, but then again it's what I'm listening to 100% of the time so yeah.
 
7: Desire to move or visit Japan influenced by music?
 
Only for the lives, nothing else. There ain't nothin else there for me anymore lol
 
8: Do you read dirt-sheets of bands, like rumours, gossip, etc...?
 
Yeah, no.
 
9: Ever fantasize about being friends with band members? (JFZ)
 
Yeah. Don't see whats wrong with that.
 
10: Do you want to be in a Visual Kei band (or any other kind of band)?
 
Lol sign me up

I like buy many cds, but for Plastic Tree i buy all that is possible. When I like i want all  job os Artist/band because them make this for the fans.    
Depends. sometimes yes, sometimes no.    
Of course, in ameblo i feel more near of life them.
 
No, but if i meet by coincidence i will ask to take a pic and say special things <3
 
Nope.    
Since when i started hear jrock, I can say that is already part of my life. My style change (happen) naturally and when i stop to see and i remember references with some members of many bands. This is so awesome.    
Years ago I was thinking only in live in japan to be near of my artists and go to concerts and wanted this life to me until die. Nowadays I just think in learn japanese and go to concerts in japan. About the part of visit OF COURSE, but live in japan... I prefer that this happen of way naturally like if the life want that I should live there.      
No, i love the music and the artist way to music and i dont want know about the private life of my idol. In these points i respect.    
No yet.
 
I never think about this, maybe for fun with friends only.

1: Do you buy multiple versions of releases, or buy at all? (Judgement-Free-Zone)

No multiple versions, always regular edition, and only of stuff I already tried and liked. Exeptionally, xTRiPx and bis which I used to buy without listening to before.

 

2: Do you collect cheki or other non-music related items from bands?

Nope.

 

3: Follow them on Ameblo, Twitter?

Nope. Would eventually read posts of my really really favorite artists, but I know SHIT of japanese.

 

4: Would you follow them on the street?

Nope. Would ask for a pic, tho. If I recognized any of them of course, which I find really hard to.

 

5: Dig through their trash? (Judgment-Free-Zone)

Nope.

 

6: Does Visual Kei or other forms of your musical taste influence your style or personal life?

Nope. Music is music, everything else is everything else. I find quite silly to dress like what you listen to, which usually only rockers and japanese music fans use to, I never saw anyone dressed like Prince casually walking around... I'm old, I find most things silly.

 

7: Desire to move or visit Japan influenced by music?

Would visit for sure, and try to attend to lives of my favorit bands.

 

8: Do you read dirt-sheets of bands, like rumours, gossip, etc...?

If I stumble upon, sure... Don't usually search.

 

9: Ever fantasize about being friends with band members? (JFZ)

Nope.

 

10: Do you want to be in a Visual Kei band (or any other kind of band)?

Would be nice to know how to play some of my fave songs, just for fun. Would not dress like them.

1: Do you buy multiple versions of releases, or buy at all? (Judgement-Free-Zone)
I do for my most favorite bands, because that can become too expensive if I did it for every band.
 
2: Do you collect cheki or other non-music related items from bands?
No, I don't buy cheki or anything like that. Always preferred the music. I dunno... Do DVDs count? lol
 
3: Follow them on Ameblo, Twitter?
I follow all my bands on twitter. I don't keep up with them religiously, but they're there lol.
 
4: Would you follow them on the street?
No, that's called stalking.... And just weird.
 
5: Dig through their trash? (Judgment-Free-Zone)
No, I love their music. Not obsessed with members.
 
6: Does Visual Kei or other forms of your musical taste influence your style or personal life?
No, visual kei doesn't influence my style or personal life in any extreme way. If you saw me, you wouldn't think I like visual kei lol And I come on here a lot, so I guess sometimes it takes up my free time? lol
 
7: Desire to move or visit Japan influenced by music?
I would love to visit Japan and attend as many visual kei lives as I could. In regards to living there... I don't know, because I don't whether I'd like it or not lol
 
8: Do you read dirt-sheets of bands, like rumours, gossip, etc...?
No, I just follow official news and tweets.
 
9: Ever fantasize about being friends with band members? (JFZ)
No... Have never been so obsessed with a band that I wanna befriend them lol.
 
10: Do you want to be in a Visual Kei band (or any other kind of band)?
No, I'm not musically inclined... and if I were, I still don't think I'd have the desire to.

1: Do you buy multiple versions of releases, or buy at all? (Judgement-Free-Zone)
I have different levels of fandom, so I have bands I'd probably be concidered to be obsessed about, then there's the ones I follow/listen to. If it's bands I'm obsessing about or members sideprojects I buy them all! and also sometimes I have 2 of the same so I can keep one in mint and open and listen to one. Then there's bands I just buy the releases I really like.
 
2: Do you collect cheki or other non-music related items from bands?
Yes! I buy it all, from chekis to stickers, photos, you name it (again, this only goes for my favorite bands, but I do have one or 2 chekis or photos with bands I just enjoy aswell)
 
3: Follow them on Ameblo, Twitter?
Of course~
 
4: Would you follow them on the street?
If I saw them I probably would. I'd probably be too shy to say anything though:P I won't say which band but I accidentally got a members homeaddress and I concidered going there just to see how he lives last time I was in Japan, but then I ended up not going. Mostly because I felt like I don't want to scare him if he'd see me there and also I realised that's taking it a bit too far.
 
5: Dig through their trash? (Judgment-Free-Zone)
Közi is one of my obsessions, and I went to one of his "talk" events last year. This took place at a tiny bar and during the event he smoke and drank so when he left after the event I was very close to picking up one of his left over, burnt cigarettes but I didn't... that's the closest I've got to digging up peoples trach and I'd not go further even I have limits.
 
6: Does Visual Kei or other forms of your musical taste influence your style or personal life?
If by style you mean clothes, then maybe but not very obviously.My personallife I'd say it has. Because of visual kei and my favorite bands I began studying japanese which also led me to going there several times and experience lots more than just music (and having a bachelor degree in japanese studies). I'd say it changed my life.
 
7: Desire to move or visit Japan influenced by music?
Yes, (see above), but like I mentioned VK might have draged me to japan which made me realise japan is a very beautiful and amazing country,but it's not enough to make me want to live there. So the reason I'd like to live in Japan isn't because the music, maybe a tiny bit, but because of their amazing culture. I just love it.
 
8: Do you read dirt-sheets of bands, like rumours, gossip, etc...?
not much, I try and stay out of contact with other fans. I've met/talked to some very interesting people thanks to forums etc, but mostly I have bad experiences with other fans. I like to keep my fandom to myself.
 
9: Ever fantasize about being friends with band members? (JFZ)
Yes, but it depends on the band/musician. I follow bands and certain members I know I probably wouldn't like to know IRL and then I follow and admire those I'd like to have another relationship to. Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about a romantic relationship but a friendship. Some of these people I find very interesting and I'd love to be able to talk to them like I do with my friends.
 
10: Do you want to be in a Visual Kei band (or any other kind of band)?
No way, never even thought about it XD

1: Do you buy multiple versions of releases, or buy at all? (Judgement-Free-Zone)

 

No, I only buy the version with the most songs. I don't buy live DVDs either, because I don't really want to spend time watching a performance or a PV because I can't really multitask if I do that. With that said, if there are different songs for different versions I would probably buy all of them. 

 

2: Do you collect cheki or other non-music related items from bands?

 

No, not sure how to get them overseas, although I might if I knew how. I do have a couple posters. If I went to one of their lives I would definitely pick up some merchandise.

 

3: Follow them on Ameblo, Twitter?

 

No, only on Facebook. I don't have a Twitter account. 

 

4: Would you follow them on the street?

 

I might ask for an autograph or a photograph.

 

5: Dig through their trash? (Judgment-Free-Zone)

 

No (I'm not sure what this means)

 

6: Does Visual Kei or other forms of your musical taste influence your style or personal life?

 

Yes, it is the only thing I listen to and some of the songs make me look at society in a critical way since I don't really keep up with the news otherwise. 

 

7: Desire to move or visit Japan influenced by music?

 

Yes! I would at least want to watch a live in Japan even if I can't move there.

 

8: Do you read dirt-sheets of bands, like rumours, gossip, etc...?

 

No, it has never crossed my mind and I wouldn't know where to look. 

 

9: Ever fantasize about being friends with band members? 

 

No.

 

10: Do you want to be in a Visual Kei band (or any other kind of band)?

 

No, I am happy just listening to it. 

1: Do you buy multiple versions of releases, or buy at all? (Judgement-Free-Zone)
yep, but only for megamasso, or some exceptions (like shounenki), and ofc if the band is active. For others active bands, I prefer to buy full albums or EP (D, MEJIBRAY). If the band has disbanded, I will choose the best-of in priority (or, in the case of Lin, the b-sides compilations, so I don't have to hunt for out of print singles to gather all the b-sides) or completing my collection if I can, with used cds ofc.

2: Do you collect cheki or other non-music related items from bands?
No. I used to own several poster of megamasso (an Avex thing, a giant poster) but I thrown everything in the bin. Before that, back in 2007, I used to buy things via Lj like a tons of flyers, I even bought a LiZ towel lmao. Today I'm just not interested in these things besides music (so no cheki, the trading cards stays in the cd case, etc).

3: Follow them on Ameblo, Twitter?
I follow them on twitter (megamasso and shounenki), even if I don't understand japanese xD. And D on facebook, even if I have MH for keeping me updated ofc.

4: Would you follow them on the street?
A big no.

5: Dig through their trash? (Judgment-Free-Zone)
No. If they do shit I will speak about dat mess. And I'm against the "I don't like this record but it's [insert band] so... it's great!" policy (I read it all the time, what a desolation).

6: Does Visual Kei or other forms of your musical taste influence your style or personal life?
No, jdc.

7: Desire to move or visit Japan influenced by music?
I would love to ofc, to see megamasso one day would be a dream come true; but I'm afraid I will not for reasons (money, ..). :///

8: Do you read dirt-sheets of bands, like rumours, gossip, etc...?
I read it on tanuki, but I don't care (and I'm not interested in the first place: I mean, what my favourites do with their dicks engage only them. I find it already gross to share your personal experience on forums like that....).

9: Ever fantasize about being friends with band members? (JFZ)
I haven't really think about that tbh.

10: Do you want to be in a Visual Kei band (or any other kind of band)?
holy crap no xD

1: Do you buy multiple versions of releases, or buy at all? (Judgement-Free-Zone)
 
I do my best to buy whichever CDs are in my favor from them. 
 
2: Do you collect cheki or other non-music related items from bands?
I do collect cheki but not on a serious level.
 
3: Follow them on Ameblo, Twitter?

Twitter, yes. 
 
4: Would you follow them on the street?

No
 
5: Dig through their trash? (Judgment-Free-Zone)

No
 
6: Does Visual Kei or other forms of your musical taste influence your style or personal life?

I guess you could say it influenced my personal life because one of my favorite bands got me started on playing the drums.
 
7: Desire to move or visit Japan influenced by music?
No
 
8: Do you read dirt-sheets of bands, like rumours, gossip, etc...?

No
 
9: Ever fantasize about being friends with band members? (JFZ)

Not friends but being a student if they were a teacher, sure. 
 
10: Do you want to be in a Visual Kei band (or any other kind of band)? 

As of recently I've had a-lot of thoughts about being in a visual-kei band and I wouldn't turn down the option if it was given to me. I'd gladly be the drummer of a VK band whether they're major or indie it doesn't matter to me.

1: Do you buy multiple versions of releases?
No, I usually buy the version with the most songs. PVs aren't as attractive a bonus to me.
2: Do you collect cheki or other non-music related items from bands?
Pretty much no but sometimes I might buy a shirt.
3: Follow them on Ameblo, Twitter?
Nope.
4: Would you follow them on the street?
Haha like stalk? Nahhhh but I'd probably try to get a photo with them or something.
5: Dig through their trash? (Judgment-Free-Zone)
Neup.
6: Does Visual Kei or other forms of your musical taste influence your style or personal life?
I'd say definitely. My clothing style, the way I act to an extent, all visual stuff.
7: Desire to move or visit Japan influenced by music?
Definitely. I want to visit Japan someday to see some bands.
8: Do you read dirt-sheets of bands, like rumours, gossip, etc...?
No.
9: Ever fantasize about being friends with band members? (JFZ)
Nope.
10: Do you want to be in a Visual Kei band (or any other kind of band)?
Heck yes. I wanna be the front man, screaming and running around, pumping up the crowd, doing wierd stuff like throwing eggs into the crowd or bleeding fake blood.

1: Do you buy multiple versions of releases, or buy at all? (Judgement-Free-Zone)

I do sometimes, but I really try to avoid it and just get the version with the most songs. It's too expensive to buy multiple types of stuff all the time.

 

2: Do you collect cheki or other non-music related items from bands?

Not really. Sometimes I buy T-shirts if I find them at a reasonable price. Once at a live I bought a totally useless towel... And of course I like CDJapan bonuses if I can get them. But for the most part I'd rather spend money on the actual music. 

 

3: Follow them on Ameblo, Twitter?

I follow a lot of band members on Twitter. But I don't get on there very often and when I do I can't understand most of what they say, I just look at the pictures they post...

 

4: Would you follow them on the street?

Not follow, no. If they didn't look busy I'd probably tell them they were doing an awesome job, if I felt brave enough. But I wouldn't want to invade their privacy. 

 

5: Dig through their trash? (Judgment-Free-Zone)



 

Jk, no, that would be nasty

 

6: Does Visual Kei or other forms of your musical taste influence your style or personal life?

A bit. I buy some low key VK style clothes here and there, but I don't really pull off the look that well. 

 

7: Desire to move or visit Japan influenced by music?

Definitely. I dream of visiting Japan and buying CDs from actual stores, and therefore not having to pay shipping fees.

 

8: Do you read dirt-sheets of bands, like rumours, gossip, etc...?

Occasionally, sometimes for the lolz or when I come across something of interest.

 

9: Ever fantasize about being friends with band members? (JFZ)

Sure, some of them might be really fun people to be friends with. 

 

10: Do you want to be in a Visual Kei band (or any other kind of band)?

Nah, I have no musical talent.

1: Do you buy multiple versions of releases, or buy at all? (Judgement-Free-Zone)

 

I do buy, but I rarely buy multiple versions of stuff, if ever.

 

2: Do you collect cheki or other non-music related items from bands?

 

Guitar picks and shirts... but only if the design pleases me.

 

3: Follow them on Ameblo, Twitter?

 

I follow several official twitter accounts but that's mostly it.

 

4: Would you follow them on the street?

 

I would greet them, if anything. 

 

5: Dig through their trash? (Judgment-Free-Zone)

 

Ew.

 

6: Does Visual Kei or other forms of your musical taste influence your style or personal life?

 

Some of the work I do probably shows some influence here and there but I wouldn't say my clothing or style are too subjected to it.

 

7: Desire to move or visit Japan influenced by music?

 

Among other stuff, yes. Visit only, though.

 

8: Do you read dirt-sheets of bands, like rumours, gossip, etc...?

 

Yeah, it's fun sometimes.

 

9: Ever fantasize about being friends with band members? (JFZ)

 

I can't imagine myself speaking japanese, so no.

 

10: Do you want to be in a Visual Kei band (or any other kind of band)?

 

I don't have the kind of creativity and skillset to write, play or perform any kind of musical act... I wish I could but not the case. If I could I would not go for a VK band. I don't think westeners can do that kind of stuff with the same effect. Doesn't suit me either.

1: Do you buy multiple versions of releases, or buy at all? I buy when I can, which isn't often. The only band whose releases I'm currently buying as they come out are The Gallo. I don't buy multiple versions of releases. 

 

2: Do you collect cheki or other non-music related items from bands? No. I'm not interested in cheki, flyers, or shirts. Just CDs are fine. 

 

3: Follow them on Ameblo, Twitter? I follow a lot of people on Twitter, but I only have notifications set up for The Gallo

 

4: Would you follow them on the street? Ew never. I wouldn't want someone to do that to me, so it's only right to give them the same respect. 

 

5: Dig through their trash? holy shit

 

6: Does Visual Kei or other forms of your musical taste influence your style or personal life? Visual kei definitely is my fashion style and has been for a very long time. 

 

7: Desire to move or visit Japan influenced by music? I have a desire to visit and go to lives, but I've never been there, so it would be hard to say whether I'd want to live there. 

 

8: Do you read dirt-sheets of bands, like rumours, gossip, etc...? No. I don't really care. Adults having consensual sex with other adults isn't really a "juicy" topic for me. I find the whole visual kei gossip fixation to be overwhelming and tacky. I look at it sometimes if I'm bored, but it's not something I keep up with. I try not to project my own values on band guys, so it would take a lot to shock me and change my opinion of someone, anyway. They'd have to do something really bad. 

 

9: Ever fantasize about being friends with band members? Yeah but not like sexy fantasies. It's more like "I'd have a beer with them" I guess. 

 

10: Do you want to be in a Visual Kei band (or any other kind of band)? I am not musically talented. 

1: Do you buy multiple versions of releases, or buy at all? (Judgement-Free-Zone)
iTunes is the easiest I do, besides it, I only try get the live limited singles.
2: Do you collect cheki or other non-music related items from bands?
I would like to have bracelets from all bands I like.
Also t-shirts and parkas are a love history.
3: Follow them on Ameblo, Twitter?
Yes!
4: Would you follow them on the street?
Depends lol, I would go to ask a photo or autograph, not follow.
5: Dig through their trash? (Judgment-Free-Zone)
Hell no, this is bizarre.
6: Does Visual Kei or other forms of your musical taste influence your style or personal life?
Yes!
7: Desire to move or visit Japan influenced by music?
In part yes.
8: Do you read dirt-sheets of bands, like rumours, gossip, etc...?
Nop.
9: Ever fantasize about being friends with band members? (JFZ)
Why not? x'D
10: Do you want to be in a Visual Kei band (or any other kind of band)?
Drums would be more than welcome, but without the vk make-up and shiny cloths please.

Reviving this thread, because I like answering such things...
 
1: Do you buy multiple versions of releases, or buy at all? (Judgement-Free-Zone)
For my favorite band, I'll buy all releases and versions because I really like collecting things, and occasionally multiple copies for privileges etc. For others, I buy some releases here and there, but not 100% of them.
 
2: Do you collect cheki or other non-music related items from bands?
I think cheki are expensive af for tiny little polaroids, but at the same time the collector in me wants to have them too, so I've compromised with myself by collecting them only for one band. I do like collecting photosets. As for other merch, I'll rarely buy it unless I'm at a live; I have some t-shirts/towels/posters I've gotten that way.
 
3: Follow them on Ameblo, Twitter?
Yes.
 
4: Would you follow them on the street?
No.
 
5: Dig through their trash? (Judgment-Free-Zone)
lol, no.
 
6: Does Visual Kei or other forms of your musical taste influence your style or personal life?
Not really.
 
7: Desire to move or visit Japan influenced by music?
Yes! I've visited, and there were many factors that motivated me to do it, including music.
 
8: Do you read dirt-sheets of bands, like rumours, gossip, etc...?
From time to time I'll do it, for the lulz.
 
9: Ever fantasize about being friends with band members? (JFZ)
No.
 
10: Do you want to be in a Visual Kei band (or any other kind of band)?
Nope!

I don't like doing track by track review's but I will list everything on the album that I enjoyed. This album surprised me quite a bit, I first heard of Sel'm a good while ago and I thought they were just okay, they were average, everyone seemed to be in love with Tora's voice I thought he was dull, I didn't think he was impressive. After he left I wasn't sure what would happen to them but when they got a new lead vocalist I was excited to hear him but I was also underwhelmed by him, it just felt like they absolutely had to be "metal" the riffs had to chug and he had to scream, when he sang I thought he was okay but still yet again a Sel'm vocalist that I found to be average. I left them be for a good amount of time then I decided to go on this site and check thing's out, I was reading through the news forum and read that Sel'm was releasing an album so my curiosity was piqued. As soon as it came out I checked it out and genuinely was taken by surprise.
 
 Sel'm's newest album Reiro is impressive, I was afraid it would just be chuggy fake metal and was happily wrong. This album is dark and soothing, it's very melodic and truly has some wonderfully catchy chorus's. I was extremely impressed with the guitar work on Reiro, sometime's they fall back into boring guitar riff's that get boring quick but for most of the album the pace and style of guitar change's up, I found myself just listening some song's over just to hear the guitar work beautifully playing beneath Ryuga's vocal work and just being so impressed with the synergy that they had. Another thing is that I personally found the guitar solo's to be very good, for me a guitar solo is important, it can change a song from solemn and slow to a powerful beauty. 
 
 The bass work on this album is also very nice but if I'm being honest I didn't really hear the bass all that often, if I did it wasn't because the bass got powerful it was just me listening for it but at the same time as the bassist Takuma does his job, he helps keep the song going. Normally I would say that I wish the bass was more profound and that it was more unique but I really didn't mind the bass too much.
 
 Next is the drum work and the drum's were very nice also, they had some nice technical play and really kept the pace of the album and the feeling of the album up, yet again nothing crazy impressive that would make you say that these are the song's you should aspire to be able to play on drum's but yet again they get the job done and keep's the band supported, a drummer is supposed to be the beam's that keep the band standing and I personally believe that he did that just fine. Like I said by no means are the drum's outstanding but they are good and keep the song's going.
 
 Finally the part that impressed me the most, Ryuga's vocal work, Ryuga did an amazing job on this album, his vocal work was just beautiful on this album he has a very nice voice with a beautiful dark deep tone to it, Ryuga really did amazing. This album had some amazing song's, it had great tone and had good pacing. The album start's a bit heavily with some chugging guitar riff's and screaming which had me worried at first but by the second song "Kono Hana Ga Saite Kareru Made" I was relieved of my worries, the second track was very catchy and anthemic, then the album just kept impressing me. There are quite a few song's that are just so gorgeous with Ryuga's deep voice that I would immediately relax then get sleepy almost like when I would listen to "Uroboros" by "Dir En Grey" I'm not saying that they sounded alike but I'm saying that the song's made me relax like I was slowly falling asleep in a nice forest lit by the moonlight (I wanted a over the top metaphor) the song's all felt different and interesting, I was never bored and never wanted to skip a single track. Ryuga just blew me away on this release, his vocals were so nice with the guitar work of Tsubaki and Jon just gliding underneath his voice and the drum work booming and keeping the song's that needed to be powerful, powerful, the bass work also kept the entire album on track and it just impressed me like crazy. I don't have enough praise for Ryuga on this album I just think he proved that he truly is a front man and an outstanding vocalist.
 
 If I had to recommend an album of this year to listen to currently I would recommend "Reiro" by "Sel'm" it is a great piece of work and I can't wait to hear more from them.
 
 I personally would rate this album with    
 
 
  "Reiro" is a great album with some flaws but still is so worth a listen, now these are my opinion's and I look forward to reading your's thank you for reading  
 
-MikuKun

it is announced at WING WORKS one-man live "【FUTURISTIC AND:ROID PROJECT】" at Shinjuku ReNY at 2015/12/20 that their new album (title not yet finalized) will be released, although details have not yet been announced

special session "Acid BL'Arc Charlie" will perform at Shibuya REX at 2016/01/06
 
"Acid BL'Arc Charlie" members:
Vo.&Gt.Motoki (Smileberry)
Gt.&Vo.律(ritsu) (Smileberry)
Gt.マチ(machi) (MeteoroiD)
Ba.raL (MeteoroiD)
Dr.チャーリー(charlie) (Smileberry)
 

I like them. Way more kawaii then what I usually listen to but they are really good at what they do. Hopefully they find a new composer or re-form with a twist on their old style, I am sure they can accomplish many things if they keep at it.
Also the singer is one of my favorite dude's to stalk and look at pictures of, I dunno why.